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#31
06-24-2009, 04:12 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
Back to the spark plugs... I had a rough idle and it was a cracked plug. Took quite a while to find it because it was really not very obvious. It was cracked on the side of the ceramic part of the main body and was a faint hairline crack. Once I put new plugs in, she ran like new. Maybe worth double checking the plugs?
Another thought is to check the EGR valve is not stuck open partially. It is unlikely, but if you have exhaust going back when you shouldn't, you will get rough idle and/or stalling. While idling, put vacuum to the EGR valve supply line and see if the engine stalls. If it does, valve is probably just fine. If it doesn't change the engine condition immediately, then the valve is stuck. I used the vacuum line from the heater controls to connect to the EGR line just by holding them together with my fingers and that was enough to stall the engine. Worth a try if you have eveything open anyway.
__________________
2001 3.8L V8 Deathstar with 170,000 KM 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew with 2500 KM 
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#32
06-27-2009, 02:32 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
Hi Andrew, thanks for the post.
I'm ready to torch the POS! I'm obviously pretty frustrated. I took the upper IM off again this morning and looked everywhere for vacuum lines. I redid everything one more time, I reassembled the upper IM. I seems like it's missing. I have no codes, so it's possible I fixed the lean code issue and now have another issue? The engine shakes a little bit. It idles even, but it has a little shake to it. I put new spark plug wires. I pulled a couple of the plugs, all the ones in the front and one in the rear. They looked "ok". Not real bad, just a little carbon buildup. My next guess is to pull all three rear ones and change them on suspicion? If I still had the vacuum problem due to the isolator bolts, wouldn't I probably have a code by now? If changing the plugs doesn't fix it, is my next guess to change the lower IM gaskets?
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#33
06-27-2009, 02:49 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
also, when I had the upper IM off again, around the egr ports and on the lower IM surface, there was some oil... this mean anything? It was probably around 1 tsp.
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#34
06-27-2009, 05:24 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
Well Good News! I changed the spark plugs, bam! Runs smooth as a babies behind! It was the rear 3, I started it up after I changed them and it didn't help, I changed the front 3, fixed! No more codes, no more missing... whew! Thanks Guys for everything!
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#35
06-27-2009, 05:35 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
Quote:
Just to clarify, was the front 3 or the rear 3 the ones that were causing the miss. Your post was kind of ambiguous. Also curious since you had stated earlier that these plugs were only in for about 30k miles. What brand / type were they? Did you notice anything physically wrong on the set that was replaced (cracked or excess carbon)? I have 53k original miles on my 9 year old 2000 SE with the original plugs / wires / coil backs and still starts / idles just fine. Anyway, sure glad you have your Winnie fixed and that you posted back the final remedy.
__________________
2000 Windstar SE 3.8L 125k miles (mine)  2006 Hyundai Sonata LX 3.3L 108k miles (wife's)  2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS 21k miles (daughter) 
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#36
06-27-2009, 05:38 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
It's all of them.
Anyway, they are in serial. So if the front misfires, the rear will do it too.
__________________
2003 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.8L OHV 2002 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L OHV (sold) 1998 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L OHV (sold) 2002 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.1L OHV (sold) 2004 Hyundai Accent GS 1.6L DOHC manual (sold) 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S 3.1L OHV (sold) 2002 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor 4.6L SOHC (sold) A Windstar without having the check engine light is not a real Windstar. 
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#38
06-29-2009, 11:40 AM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
Damn! When I suggested plugs it was because I had a suspision that you had the asme things I had! You had EXACTLY the same thing! I had Bosh Platinum plugs (4 prong) that were about 40 to 50,000 km old and the #3 on the back had a hairline crack in the procelain. I missed it the first time I pulled the plugs and then found it the second time. What a relief to find the problem and have her run smooth again! Congrats and the good find.
__________________
2001 3.8L V8 Deathstar with 170,000 KM 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew with 2500 KM
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#39
06-29-2009, 08:40 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
Best to stick with Motorcraft or Autolite double plat's.
Several folks have had similar problems as mentioned with Bosch plugs. I understand folks trying them.....they put such a impressive display in the auto part stores. They may be good for some applications....but not so good for the Windstar.
__________________
Moderator for Ford Windstar room only Links to my pictures, intended as an aid, not a replacement for, a good repair manual. 1996 3.8L Windstar http://www.flickr.com/photos/4157486...092975/detail/ 2003 Toyota Sienna pictures (not much there yet) http://www.flickr.com/photos/4157486...781661/detail/
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#40
06-29-2009, 09:58 PM
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Re: P0171/4 code issue, tried to fix
I believe Bosch plugs tend to be a bit fragile, and will not withstand overtorqueing. I used to use Bosch, but became disinterested when they came out with all these extra firing tips. What's with that? They're up to four now with no end in sight ... perhaps a continuous circle/hole with the electrode in the center??
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